Design in Britain
Wednesday 19 September 2007 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
On the eve of a major London exhibition of international designers' work, Isabel Hilton assesses the current health of design in Britain.
Playlist
The Pitmen Painters
Isabel Hilton talks to the playwright Lee Hall, whose work includes an Oscar-nominated screenplay for Billy Elliott. He's now turned his attention to the Ashington Group, a group of coal miners from Northumberland, who in the 1930s became successful artists. He discusses the extraordinary story of the miners and their work with the critic William Feaver, who has written a book about them.
The Pitmen Painters is at the Live Theatre in Newcastle until Sat 27 October
Umberto Eco Essays
The journalist John Lloyd reviews a new collection of essays by the influential cultural theorist and bestselling novelist Umberto Eco. Ranging widely across subjects from terrorism to the role of the media, this new collection is a meditation on the state of contemporary culture and politics.
Turning Back the Clock by Umberto Eco is published by Harvill Secker.
Design
Isabel also talks to the designer Tom Dixon and asks whether good design and sustainability can exist together.
100% Design London is at Earl's Court between 20-23 September 2007
Matthew Barney
Waldemar Januszczak reviews an exhibition of work by the sculptor Matthew Barney.
Matthew Barney: Drawing Restraint is at the Serpentine Gallery until Sunday 11 November
Shakespearian Manga
Ivan John Phillips and Dominic Dromgoole discuss populist adaptations of Shakespeare, and how they might appeal to a younger audience.
Richard III and The Tempest manga editions are published by SelfMadeHero, and Macbeth: Gangland Killings (exam-approved book and accompanying DVD) are published by the Revolver Group.
